The Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management and Ballast Nedam, DEME and Macquarie Capital sign contract on A24 Blankenburgverbinding
On 14 December 2017 the consortium BAAK Blankenburg-Verbinding (Ballast Nedam – DEME – Macquarie Capital) signed the DBFM contract for the Blankenburg connection with Rijkswaterstaat. TEC supports BAAK with the integral design.
The Blankenburgverbinding is a key infrastructure project, improving the roads and accessibility of the port of Rotterdam and the wider Rotterdam region– contributing to economic growth. Minister van Nieuwenhuizen of Infrastructure and Water Management: “This is a great step towards the construction of the Blankenburgverbinding (Blankenburgconnection). This totally new motorway towards the port of Rotterdam will ensure a relieve of congestion at this economically important region”.
On behalf of the BAAK Blankenburg-Verbinding consortium, Martijn Klinkhamer, Board member of BAAK: “We are very proud to have reached this important step in the Blankenburg project. In building a consortium of leading engineering contractors, tunnelling and infrastructure funding specialists, I have great confidence in BAAK providing a comprehensive solution to relieve Rotterdam of congestion and provide enhanced transport infrastructure. We look forward to making a significant contribution to one of the Netherlands’ most economically significant regions working closely with Rijkswaterstaat.”
The project has a total nominal value of approximately 1 billion euro and consists of the design and construction of the A24 Blankenburgverbinding, including a 20-year management and maintenance period after the new infrastructure becomes available. The equity partners in the project are Macquarie Capital for 70 per cent, and Ballast Nedam Concessies and DEME Concessions Infrastructure for 15 per cent each. The actual construction will be carried out by a consortium consisting of Ballast Nedam Infra, and the DEME companies DIMCO and Dredging International. In addition, Macquarie Capital is acting as sole financial advisor to the BAAK consortium.
The new 4 km A24 motorway including Blankenburg Tunnel will connect the A20 and the A15 motorways being part of Rotterdam’s main infrastructure, improving accessibility and reducing congestion to one of the Netherlands’ most economically significant regions. The project includes the construction of an immersed tunnel under the Rotterdam port waterway, a land tunnel, two busy junctions (of the A24 to the A20 and the A15) and the widening of the A20 between the A24 and the Kethelplein.
The project plays an important role in the execution of the 2009 Masterplan Rotterdam Vooruit which governs the development of the Rotterdam region from 2020-2040. Construction is expected to commence in August 2018 and become operational at the end of 2024.
Copyright Photo: Ballast Nedam